The Donnybrook second grade cricket side’s finals hopes remain in tact following two consecutive wins earlier this month. Taking to the field on Saturday, February 3 after two weeks off, the Dons confidently faced an in-form Colts’ line-up at Bunbury Recreation Ground. Colts won the toss and elected to bowl, instantly putting pressure on the visitors. Donnybrook opening batsman Mark Manea knocked 19 runs off 11 balls, including one four and one over the boundary. Fellow opener Ben Alsop was less successful, run out for a duck by Graeme Millington. Stranded on 2/26, captain Joel Parker (19 off 46) and Stephen Wright (34 off 43) saved the Dons from embarrassment. William Stevenson was dismissed for four, before Norman Bedford (0) was trapped lbw by Colts’ bowler Geoff Barr (3/39 from 10 overs) two runs later. Middle order batsman Dion Parker (30 off 70) watched on as Tim Mountford (0), Neil Robertson (11), Richard Licciardello (2) and Christopher Morgan (1) were dismissed. Colts’ captain and club president Jaysen de san Miguel collected 3/7 from just 4.4 overs. It took 44.4 overs for Colts to dismiss Donnybrook for 132. Colts’ inning was short lived, with Timothy Stewart the only batsman to reach double figures. Donnybrook bowlers Robertson, Parker and Bedford collected two wickets each, while Morgan took 3/19 from 5.5 overs. The visitors needed only 27.4 overs to dismiss Colts for 69. After a well-deserved week-off, Donnybrook returned in round 14 to face Hay Park. The Redbacks, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, seeked to entertain the home crowd. Openers Brant Softley (26 off 73, including five fours) and Luke Dupreez (21 off 21) were seemingly unstoppable. Later in the inning, Steven Florance (35 off 55) and Grant Milbanke (44 off 33) made up for the Redbacks’ middle order disintegration. Dons’ bowlers Bedford (4/35 from 10) and Joel Parker (3/25 from 9.4) assisted in dismissing Hay Park for 191. Donnybrook excelled in reaching the home side’s total. Manea (44 off 29) knocked four fours and two sixes, while fellow opener Phillip Welsh (34 off 41) helped to sink Hay Park’s chances of victory. Despite the efforts of Redback Chris Waddingham (4/21 off 7, along with two catches), the Dons reached 6/192 with 8.3 overs remaining. Donnybrook sits eighth on the 2017/18 season ladder with four wins and seven losses. Check out bunburycricket.com.au to track the team’s progress throughout the rest of the season.